
To Whom It May Concern:
About two weeks ago, I purchased an individual gift membership to the Botanical Garden for my mother's birthday. Although my credit card was subsequently charged the $75 membership fee, neither my mother nor I received an email confirmation. When I called the membership line today about this, the representative told me that my mother was indeed registered. The membership materials would arrive in the mail shortly, but I should not expect to receive any email receipt. Apparently, upon purchase, I had an opportunity to print out a receipt, as well as a temporary membership and parking pass.
This is simply not an acceptable way of doing online business. It is common practice for a website to send an immediate confirmation email when you buy something. It's not enough that the site simply provide you with a page to print out. Not sending an email receipt is somewhat like a store clerk showing you a paper receipt and telling you to take a photograph of it if you'd like to keep a record. With online purchases, it is even more incumbent on the company selling the item to ensure that a receipt is delivered directly to your mailbox: unlike the store situation, customers do not walk out with a physical product; instead, they put their trust (and credit card numbers!) in the company's hands in the hopes that the item will be delivered.
In this situation, it was particularly unfortunate that I did not receive an email with the receipt, temporary membership, and parking pass. My mother plans to visit the Botanical Garden for her birthday tomorrow. While the representative from the membership office provided me with my mother's membership number, she told me my mother would not be able to have a parking pass for her visit--since I had apparently missed my opportunity to print it out when I had the chance.
I strongly suggest you revise your policy so that all online purchasers of memberships receive immediate confirmation of their credit card purchases.
Very truly yours,
Christopher W.